Ice retainer for water pitchers



June 11, 1929. F. PELLETIER 1,717.170

I CE RETAINER. FOR WATER PITCHERS Filed Sept. 28, 1928- i INVENTOR. Furrk bl/912k) A TTORN Patented June 11, 1929.

UNITED STATES FRANK PELLETIER,

PATENT OFFICE.

or NEW YORK, n. Y..

ICE RETAINER FOR WATER PITGHERS.

Application filed September This invention relates generally to water pitchers, and has particular reference to a novel ice retainer therefor.

The invention has for an object'the provision of a device of the class mentioned, which is of simple durable construction, de-

sirable in use and efficient in action, and

or the Pitcher by a sp g- T inner Side of the pitcher may be provided with a circular groove for accommodating the ice retainers.

An advantage of this arrangement is that water and ice may be placed in a pitcher and the retainers on top for holding the ice Within the pitcher, and at the'same time allowing the water to be poured out of the pitcher.

Of course, this pitcher with ice water is intended for table use and it is readily seen that many advantages exist in retaining the ice within the pitcher while the ice water can be poured out.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the Various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawing, forming a material part of this disclosure Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a pitcher and retainer constructed according to this invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view, taken on the line 33 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the ice retainer device in expanded position.

Fig. 5 is'a front edge view thereof.

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view, taken on v the line G6 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary View of a portion of Fig. 4, disclosing a modified form of the device.

Fig. Sis a fragmentary vertical sectional view, taken on the line 88 of Fig. 7

2a, 1928. Serial No. 308,972

Fig. 9 is a plan view of an. ice retainer device in retracted position constructed according to a modified form of this invention.

a The reference numeral 10 indicates generally a pitcher of any design and construction, havin g a mouth 11 and a handle 12. Near the top edgeof the pitcher an outwardly project.-

ing ridge 13 is formed for providing an outer I circular groove 14; within the pitcher. Ice retainers 15 are arranged for expanding so as to engage withinthe circular groove 14; and thus maintain their position within the pitcher.

These ice retainers are formed with a plurality of apertures 16 for allowing the passage of ice water therethrough, and irregular edges 17 for the same purpose. It is seen that these irregular edges engage against the inner side of the pitcher within the circular groove so that openings are providedthrough which the water may pass. The ice retainers are pivotally connected at oneof their ends as at 18.

by reason of engaging upon a pivotal post 19..

This pivotal post has an enlarged bottom end 20 disposed .beneath the ice retainers, and.

a handle 21 is threadedly engaged on the post, and located on top of the ice retainers.

A. spring 22 is bent intermediate of its ends as at 23 and at this bent portion passes through the enlarged bottom end 20 of the pivotal post. Spring posts 2 1 are engaged on the bottom sides of the ice retainers at the ends remote from the pivotal point, and handles 25 are disposed on top of the ice retainers and threadedly connected with the spring posts. The free ends of the spring 22 pass through these spring posts, and bent ends 26 of the springs prevent disengagement.

In operation of the device, the handles 25 may be manually pressed together for mov- 111g the ice retainers into. collapsed position and then the device may be inserted within the pitcher, and upon a releasing of the handles'the ice retainers will expand due to the action of the spring 22' for firmly engaging it within the circular groove 14. Ice in water retained in the pitcher will be restrained from moving out of the pitcher while the pitcher istilted for permitting the ice water to be poured off. This very obviously .prevents the ice from falling into glasses into which the water may be poured and breaking In addition, one drinkin the water is In the modified form of the invention disclosed in Figs. 7 and 8, gripper ends 26 are forced upon the irregular edges 17 of the ice retainer members. These gripper ends are formed with strip portions having slots, said portions having a plurality of suction cups 27 mounted on their outer ends. In other respects this device is similar to the preferred form of the invention. It may be engaged in pitchers not provided for especially receiving ice retainers, and not having a circular groove such'as groove 14. The gripper ends should preferably be made of rubber and it is readily seen that as the ice retainers are forced against the inner sides of the pitcher these gripper ends are firmly forced against the pitcher and serve forholding the device in place. The suction cups function to aid in the holding operation.

In the modified form of the device illustrated in Fig. 9, the ice retainers are shown slidably arranged for expanding. One of V the ice retainers is provided with a number of slots 28 and the other with rivets 29 engaged through these slots and arranged for slidably conecting the parts. Spring posts 30 are attached on the lower sides of the retainers and springs 31 act between these posts for normally urging the ice retainers apart. Handles 32 areattached'on the top sides of the retainer members for providing a means for manually forcing them together so that the device may be engaged within a pitcher.

lVhile I have shown and described the pre ferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise construction herein disclosed and theright is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention asdefinedin the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claimas new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is,:-

' 1. An ice retainer of-the class described for pitchers and the like, comprising a pair of perforated overlapping plates arranged for moving outwards relative to each other, and gripper ends engaged on the outer edges of the plates, and each consistingof a strip portion with a slot so that said portion may be forced upon an edge of one'of'said plates, and suction cups on the outer edge of said portion.

2. Aznice retainerof the class 'described'for pitchers and the like, comprising a pair of perforated over-lapping plates arranged for moving outwards relative to each other in a horizontal plane, and. gripper ends engaged on thcouter edges of thc'plates, and-eachcom sisting of a strip portion with a slot so that said portion may be forced upon an edge of one of said plates, and suction cups on the outer edge of said portion, said suction cups being disposed in a verticalplane.

In testimony whereof I'have aflixed my signature.

FRANK PELLETIER. 

